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Chapter 211
Fin realized that he couldn’t dare refuse Leroy to his face.
Leroy was Iona’s lawful husband and, from what Fin had observed, someone who cherished and deeply loved her.
This meant there was no room for Fin to come between them.
Of course, Fin had no intention of disrupting their relationship, but expecting the other party to interpret his intentions in a favorable light was an excessive wish.
If he wanted them to believe he had no impure motives, he had to prove it with his actions first.
His hesitation was brief. Fin answered readily.
“I will do as you say.”
Leroy’s eyebrows lifted slightly, as if surprised.
But it was only for a moment. A kind smile soon graced Leroy’s lips.
It was the ease of a victor.
Meanwhile, Fin, struggling to conceal his emotions, stiffened his expression halfway.
Fin silently prayed that Iona wouldn’t find his behavior strange.
Whether fortunately or unfortunately, Iona didn’t pay enough attention to his expression to notice.
She merely defended Fin out of courtesy.
“If you don’t want to, you don’t have to. It seems I was overly excited and pushed you unnecessarily.”
Before replying, Fin darted his gaze toward Leroy.
Leroy watched their conversation with an unreadable expression.
He showed no outward displeasure, but Fin knew this was merely a grace period.
The moment he overstepped his bounds, he would be unceremoniously cast out.
Suppressing a bitter smile, Fin replied, “Not at all. The Duke’s words make sense. I might meet someone who changes my mind.”
But was that really possible?
The answer, of course, was no.
Still, Fin acted as if he were eagerly anticipating the impossible.
Falling for someone unexpected had already become a thing of the past for him.
“Well, it’s not something I’m forcing on you,” Leroy said smoothly. “Take it easy and just enjoy some tea while you’re out.”
He seemed pleased that Fin had voluntarily created distance and stepped back.
Leroy, as if showing generosity, added, “Now, I assume you’re busy. You should go ahead. We’re about to leave as well.”
It was a graceful dismissal.
Fin found himself at a loss for words in the face of such poised handling.
After a brief silence, Fin replied quietly, “Yes, safe travels.”
That was the end of it. Fin bowed deeply to them before slowly turning away.
Leroy wasted no emotion on a retreating opponent.
For someone facing a man who had feelings for his wife, Leroy had been surprisingly polite.
It could even be said that he had shown Fin a degree of kindness.
But that fact only deepened Fin’s sense of defeat.
‘Maybe this is for the best,’ he thought.
Before he did anything reckless in a fit of emotions, cold water had been poured over him.
He might suffer a fierce emotional fever for a while, but at least it had brought him back to his senses. In that sense, it could even be seen as fortunate.
Fin tried to console himself with such thoughts.
If only he had realized his feelings a little earlier.
If only she had delayed her wedding a bit longer.
If only he’d had a chance to confess his feelings…
It wasn’t that he hadn’t imagined another future, but Fin knew better than anyone that such hypotheticals were meaningless.
Steeling himself, Fin walked forward without faltering, praying that no regrets would show on his back.
Just as Fin disappeared beyond the door, Iona suddenly spoke.
“Your Grace.”
“Hmm?”
“By any chance, am I…”
Iona hesitated, unable to finish her sentence.
At that, Leroy lowered his gaze to look at her, curious if she had finally noticed something during their conversation.
Iona’s hesitation and reluctance to speak only deepened Leroy’s suspicions.
After a long pause that tested Leroy’s patience, Iona finally spoke, her tone reluctant.
“...Am I, well, kind of... old-fashioned?”
“...”
The unexpected question left Leroy silent, unable to deny it outright.
While he had been genuinely pleased with what Iona had accomplished this time, there was no denying that her actions bordered on excessive meddling.
Perhaps she felt uneasy about Leroy’s extended silence.
Iona hurriedly continued, “I’ll admit I used to overwork my subordinates when I strictly followed orders from above. But recently, I thought I’d changed. I only ask for overtime when absolutely necessary, I make sure bonuses are paid on time, and I’ve even treated them to meat during company dinners…”
“...There were company dinners?”
“Of course. What’s better than free drinks?” Iona replied boldly.
To be fair, Iona did feel somewhat wronged about the accusations.
She had acted with good intentions, but the reactions from the maids who overheard Jonas’s report made her feel guilty despite herself.
Even though she’d appeased the uneasy atmosphere by promising to directly consult Fin about the matter, she couldn’t forget the looks
of shock she’d received in the moment.
In the end, Iona sought Marsha’s opinion.
Marsha cautiously said, “My lady, you do have… let’s say, a traditional streak. You’re a bit different from the younger folks these days.”
“Different how?”
“Well, having served in the knighthood, you’re used to a strict hierarchy, and you often prioritize the group over the individual. That perspective shows in your habits and work ethic…”
Though Marsha’s words were phrased delicately, the meaning was clear: Iona had “old-fashioned” tendencies.
Unable to outright ask, “Am I old-fashioned?” to Marsha, Iona thought Leroy might be honest enough to give her a straight answer.
With a determined expression, Iona said, “Anyway, I planned this whole thing because I thought Fin would appreciate it, but the response hasn’t been great. If I have a habit of making people uncomfortable, I’d like to change that.”
Leroy paused, pondering her words.
Iona seemed genuinely eager to correct her behavior, but Leroy didn’t want her to change.
In fact, her distinctive personality was one of the reasons he loved her.
As Leroy recalled moments when Iona had acted like a disciplined soldier, he couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.
How could he give up such an amusing sight?
Leaning closer, Leroy pressed a kiss to Iona’s cheek and murmured gently, “It’s fine. I love you just as you are.”
“So… you’re saying I am old-fashioned?”
“Ah.”
Leroy winced at her pointed question.
Iona looked up at him, her expression slightly wounded.
Instead of correcting himself, Leroy furrowed his brows, as if at a loss for words.
He had been so focused on how endearing she was that he’d completely failed to respond appropriately.
This kind of mistake was unfamiliar for Leroy, a man skilled in negotiation and debate.
To smooth things over, Leroy smiled and leaned in again. He kissed her eyelids softly, and Iona, though frowning, closed her eyes obediently.
In a subdued voice, she said, “I think I understand now how Your Grace has always seen me.”
“No… I don’t think you do.”
“Well, from now on, I’ll be different. Just wait and see,” Iona muttered, almost as if making a promise to herself.
Finding her determination charming, Leroy planted another quick kiss on her cheek and said with a mischievous grin, “What a shame. If you were interested in matchmaking, I was ready to set you up with an official business.”
At this, Iona couldn’t suppress a small laugh.
Just then, a servant approached, informing them that the preparations were complete, and it was time to depart.
Caught off guard by the sudden audience, Iona pushed Leroy away, clearly flustered.
Leroy watched as she hurried ahead of him, her back turned, and smiled contentedly.
He thought how convenient it would be if he could gather all the men interested in Iona and deal with them at the matchmaking business himself.
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